Friday, October 30, 2015

The premise: Each time you enter search criteria in an online search form – be it a Google search or Ancestry.com search, track it. There is actually a worksheet tab in the Research Log template called Search Attempts where you can enter data. So what do I track?

The Date I performed the search.

The Website where the search was used.

Notation of a specific Database where the search was performed, if applicable

Type of search (this field is becoming less relevant over time and I may just remove it)

The Criteria used for the search, i.e. “AUSTIN John Ralph birth” or “Last name = AUSTIN, First name = John . . .”

Results is where I add the URL link

And I enter my analysis or thoughts about the search in the Notes field.

And why do I track searches? One reason: I can take the search criteria I use on Ancestry.com and see what results I get over atMyHeritageor at FamilySearch. Another reason: Very often new records are added to a record set or a record set is re-indexed. It pays to return to the record set and repeat the search to see if new records are found.

What I Plan to Do: Continue tracking my searches as time permits.

All-In Participant Options: Consider tracking your searches. Take a minute and enter three searches – perhaps the ones you do most often. See if tracking the searches and entering a link for each search can save you time.

Modified Participant Options: This topic may not be relevant since many doing a Go-Over are not actively researching, just reviewing and editing current data.

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It is SO important to keep track of searches! I think of a search as a map ... sometimes it leads you to expected places, and sometimes to unexpected ones!

Think about the people in the circles you already are in. Do you know of any who are interested in genealogy? Talk shop with them sometime! If you don't have any family historians among your friends and co-workers, start attending the meetings of your local genealogy society. You'll definitely find some like-minded people there. It probably won't happen with just one meeting, but I can almost guarantee that you'll enjoy the experience.

Consider your research goals and explore which type of DNA test best fits those goals. DNA tests can be on the pricy side. (When 23andMe recently relaunched its test, they doubled their price to $199.) Be sure to do your homework first so you take the right test for what you want to find out.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Check out your local public library. See what databases they offer (and which ones are available from home). Also see what special collections they have and what events they have coming up.

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I'd also add to check the state library as well. They will often have genealogical records from all counties. The INDIANA STATE LIBRARY encourages email questions, and "ask a librarian" posts ... and they'll help in the quest ... http://www.in.gov/library/3257.htm lists the overview of the genealogical collection for the ISL.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 23

Day 23 - Explore Internet Archive

Your To-Do

Think about an aspect of one of your ancestor's lives. Perhaps military service, religion, or residence. Go to Internet Archive and do different searches based on that. When you find an interesting resource, search within that one for the surname you're looking for. While you're there, do some general reading as well. Context is always a good thing!

Take an area that you're researching. Go find at least one map of it that you haven't seen before. If you can't find any online, use resources like WorldCat or the online catalogs of various libraries and archives to identify ones that haven't been digitized yet.

Record the story of one of the heirlooms (or other special item) in your family. You can write it down, blog about it, record a video, make a slide show -- however you want to record it. When you review what you've written/recorded, see what ideas that gives you for more research. (Like my cookie jar making me realize that I don't know the exact address of Mom and Dad's first house.) Also, be sure to share the story with your family members. They might not know why that item is so special to your family's history.

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Here I set with a silver tea/coffee service set .... 5 pieces and a bit serving tray. It's been with me for a while ... and I can remember the same set setting on (or in?) a sideboard of my grandmothers. Don't remember it being used much out of all of the family get togethers and holiday meals. So, I'm asking family …what’s the story behind the silver coffee/tea service? That was on Grandma Beth’s china hutch, correct? How long had it been there? Do you know the story behind it? ... and as Paul Harvey would say ... "and now, page 2"... more later

Friday, October 23, 2015

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 22

Day 22 - Explore Your Ancestor's Ethnicity/Nationality

Your To-Do

Look at one of the lines that you are researching and consider if any of them were of an ethnicity or nationality that would have been different than the population of the area as a whole. Explore that area for churches, newspapers, and organizations that focused on that ethnic group.

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My DNA Profile from Ancestry.com

So, given the DNA profile AND some of the family stories passed down at gatherings, the top 3 are definitely plausible ... Western European, Irish, British ... now if I I can JUST locate the ONE (or THREE) relatives!

Thursday, October 22, 2015

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 21

Day 21 - Subscribe to Your Favorite Blogs

One of the things that I love about genealogy is that there is always something new to learn. In addition to the books, the conferences, and the seminars, blogs are a great way of learning about new methods and resources and keeping up to date with the community.

Your To-Do

Sign up for Feedly (or find another blog reader of your choosing) and add your favorite blogs to it. Feel free to add AmyJohnsonCrow.com if you'd like ;) I think you'll find this a manageable way to stay up-to-date as well as learn about new methods and resources. (Who knows, you might even discover a cousin!)

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So many blogs ... so little time :) ... I've also located some Google+ groups that are information rich!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Google once had a vision of digitizing everything. They've scaled back on that, but they still have some awesome resources for us, including Google Books.

Your To-Do

Think about a person you're researching. Consider not only his or her name, but also where he or she lived, the occupation, military service, and other distinguishing factors. Then, go to Google Books and start searching not only for the name, but also those other facets of his or her life. You might find a mention of them. And if you don't, I bet you can find some good resources to give you context.

*****

Searching on NAME "Otis Hoover Richards" there were several that I hadn't seen before https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Otis+Hoover+Richards

And, searching on NAME "George Milton Rice" there were several also that I hadn't seen before https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=George+Milton+Rice but I'll need to weed through some that just didn't look right!

Monday, October 19, 2015

I have a genealogy research log that I use and that I recommend. It is an multi-sheet Excel file that can be imported into Google Drive as well as Numbers for Mac users. Past participants in the Genealogy Do-Over have stated that the file converts cleanly in many programs, even Open Office.

Some genealogists have asked if I could create a similar research log in another program such as Microsoft Word since some people find spreadsheets difficult to use. Due to the nature of tracking information and the need for a very wide table, Word just doesn’t lend itself to a good genealogy research log format. Another option is to place all the fields in a “fillable form;” however, you would then have to create a new document for each record located. And then, how can you quickly see what you’ve found? Open and close a series of documents?

What you decide to use for a genealogy research log is up to you. If you’ve been opposed to using spreadsheets in the past, I just ask you to give the research log above a try.

What I Plan to Do: For Cycle 4, I am continuing my research on my parents and my grandparents, tracking To Do items, searches and results.

“All-In” Participant Options: Review the research log above including all the worksheet tabs. Decide if you want to use this research log format or create your own. If using your own, include the fields you think are most important to track when doing genealogy research.

Modified Participant Options: If you have never used a research log before, consider using the format above or creating your own. Another option is to see if your preferred genealogy database software has a way of tracking research; some have a To Do List option, others have something similar to a Research Log.

Conducting Research

Once you have your research goals and a way to track them, then you’re ready to research. This means both offline research at archives, libraries and repositories as well as online using various free and fee-based resources.

What I Plan to Do: I am continuing to track down documents and evidence for each proof point on my To Do List. Right now the focus is on gathering the information, making sure I can remember where it came from and working on source citations and evidence evaluation at a later time.

All-In Participant Options: Using whatever tracking form you’ve selected, make sure you enter your research goals. Then start your research (with yourself and your birth date, birth location, etc.) and for each record found, make sure each one is entered and tracked. Copy a link to the record if it is online – you will want an easy way of returning to the record without having to do a search again. Make sure you extract as much information as possible from the record.

Modified Participant Options: With your current research, start with yourself. Check to see that all information is accurate, based on your self interview, and make sure each point of data can be tied to at least one record. If something is missing a corresponding record – like a birth location – then mark it as “unsourced” and add it to your To Do List for further research.

We always want to get to the good stuff when we're researching. We want that answer... and we want it RIGHT NOW! So we end up scanning our documents. I don't mean scanning as in digitizing them. I mean scanning as in we skip over large parts of the document in search of the information we're seeking.

Your To-Do

Take a document that pertains to a person you're currently researching, such a deed or a will. Consider the details that you've already pulled from the document. Then go to the top of the document. Read the whole thing again and transcribe it as you go. I bet you'll be amazed at what you read.

Here's a page that I have on Otis Hoover Richards ... the page from Texmo Lodge, #156.

If you don't already have a family tree online, ask yourself why you don't. Consider ways that you can get your research out there -- and have some cousin bait! If a traditional online tree isn't for you -- and that's alright! -- think about some of the other ways you can, such as blogging or a Facebook group.

If you do already have a tree online, consider if there are other places you should post it, such as blogging.

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In addition to this blog, I've submitted my tree to familysearch.org, wikitree.com ... I'm doing a bit more to move my tree online.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 17

Day 17 - Explore the FamilySearch Catalog

Your To-Do

Explore the FamilySearch catalog and identify some materials for the locations you're researching, as well as search for some of the surnames you are interested in. You can add these to your to-do list of materials to review.

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Using KEYWORD search for place names appears to return a greater number of collected holdings. The KEYWORDS "Cowley County, Kansas" returns are shown here, https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bkeywords%3ACowley%20%2Bkeywords%3ACounty%2C%20%2Bkeywords%3AKansas

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 16

Day 16 - Find the Collections for Your Research Locations on Ancestry and FamilySearch

Your To-Do

Go onto FamilySearch (and Ancestry, if you have a subscription or can use it at the library) and find what collections they have for a state/province/country that you're interested in. Add these to your to-do list as appropriate.

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It would make things easier if there were a simple to view/browse list of the collections. Both collections are "EASY" to view online, but they don't encourage serendipitous browsing.

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 15

Day 15 - Identify and Label Photographs

BONUSGoing through old photos is something that even non-genealogists enjoy doing. Get everyone involved! Not only will it make lighter work, but you'll end up sharing stories and maybe even make a few new memories. (Plus, there's always the possibility that you'll spark an interest in genealogy with one of them!)

Your To-DoThis is a to-do that you won't complete in a day -- and that's alright. The main thing is to keep plugging away at it. Grab a few photos, identify them (people, location, and date), and label them. Get your family members involved, too. This is an almost-perfect family history group activity. Have fun!

*****

I've run across several old photographs. It's fairly easy to identify the PEOPLE, but it's more of a problem to identify the PLACES, and even more problematic to identify DATES. But, through sharing them with other family members, I've been able to hone down the places and dates. It's' been interesting to hear the stories that accompany the stories.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Check out some genealogy societies for the area where you live as well as where you are concentrating your research. You can find some through the Federation of Genealogical Societies "Society Hall" or by doing a Google search for <location> genealogy society (such as carroll county arkansas genealogy society).

Go to WorldCat.org and search for some families and locations that you're interested in. See what libraries have those books and make a plan for using them. I bet you'll be surprised at some of the materials you find!

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I've used ILL to locate and read books for YEARS! I have started making notes about search terms that "WORK" and those that don't work ... as well. I'd also add to check the hathitrust library ... old books, digitized ... here's one that I found, containing a biographical sketch of JR Richards, the father of Otis Hoover Richards http://hdl.handle.net/2027/wu.89084909530?urlappend=%3Bseq=258

Monday, October 12, 2015

Don't worry, I'm not going to make you research all of the siblings of all of your ancestors today! Instead, take a look at one of the ancestors you are currently researching. (Perhaps you have someone in mind from a goal you set on Day 1.) Look at their siblings and see how much documentation you have for them. Make a to-do list of the records you need to complete the "minimum" for the siblings: census records, birth records, death records, and obituaries. You might be surprised at the avenues of research before you!

Well, after hearing family stories for years, I took a look at the children of John Robson Richards and Euphrasia Hoover ... Otis Hoover Richards was a son, AND the one that made the Oklahoma Land Run! So, I've learned that looking at ALL of the relatives can be extremely interesting. John Robson Richards, born 09 August 1805, died 20 January 1879 ... married Euphrasia Hoover born 17 February 1845, died 01 September 1899Fred S Richards, their youngest child, was my maternal great grandfather ... his brother Otis Hoover Richards, born 13 August 1867, died 01 January 1961 is definitely an interesting relative! Just a few interesting historical tidbits:Homestead Certificate 9569 for 160 acres in Oklahoma Territory ... I've even located his Masonic Records, and found he was initiated as an Entered Apprentice March 2, 1901, passed to Fellowcraft March 30, 1901, and raised as a Master Mason on April 27, 1901 ... He was elected Worshipful Master December 19, 1903 for St. Albans Lodge (and all of this was before Oklahoma Statehood) ... I'll definitely see what else Otis has done!

Applying to a lineage society is NOT something you'll do in one day. But what you can do is explore which one(s) you might qualify for and review their rules of evidence (what they will and won't accept as documentation). Give a review of what you have and see what documentation you're missing. That creates a good to-do list for future research.

Well, I found that I am "eligible" for the

First Families of the Twin Territories

That's from Oklahoma! The proof and documentation SEEM fairly straightforward, but will require some extremely careful reading (I've run into interesting name spellings, and that can make things rather ... puzzling to say the least!)

After reviewing those files and notes on Day 8, you deserve a little bit of fun.

Day 9 - Plan to Attend a Genealogy Conference

Your To-Do

Take a look at the dates and places for the national conferences, as well as the conferences being held by the state genealogical societies in your area (and in places where your ancestors lived). Consider which one(s) you'd like to attend and see if you can make it happen. With a little planning ahead of time, it might be more affordable than you think.

Friday, October 9, 2015

There are many different formats to use for your personal interview including a simple written narrative, a bullet point list of dates and places, or a family group sheet. Make sure you take your time and record the important data related to:

An additional option is to actually write out your own mini-biography in your own “voice.” You can then extract the data (next week) for your research log and you’ll have a nice memento to pass on to your family.

What I Plan to Do: I created both a personal interview and a family group sheet for myself and my parents. The interview is important – it is a “brain dump” of what I know in terms of dates, places etc.

“All-In” Participant Options: Select an interview format that works for you and enables you to extract the necessary information to launch your initial research next week.

Modified Participant Options: Review any copies of family group sheets in your files and check them for accuracy.

Conducting Family Interviews

Once your interview is done, create a list of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relations who would have information about your parents, grandparents and other extended family members. Again, the format and method of interviewing is up to you. Some options:

Family Group Sheet: If you have a fillable form (print or online) have your family members complete as much information as possible about their own immediate families.

Record an Interview: With today’s technology it is easier than ever to record an interview. Consider using Skype and one of the several Skype recording programs. Or download an app for your iPhone or Android device. Yes, you will have to transcribe or record the information, but what can compare to preserving the voice of a family member as they describe their family’s history?

Setting Research Goals

While I have listed this topic first in this week’s series of topics, you really need some initial data (from the interviews above) before you can set research goals. Very often people set goals such as “trace my family’s Irish roots” that are too broad or are based on family lore or assumptions.

Set goals based on information from initial interviews; don’t worry if you believe some information is incorrect. Next week we will create research goals to prove or disprove data points. Create a simple list such as “verify birth location for _________” or “determine parents of _________.” Next week these goals will form the start of your research plan.

What I Plan to Do: I actually did Family Group Sheets for myself (easy since I have no children) and both my parents. I also spent time on the phone with some of my aunts asking questions. I took notes because they weren’t comfortable being recorded on Skype – I ALWAYS ask permission when I interview a family members. It is important that they understand how the information will be used and how it will be recorded.

All-In Participant Options: Use paper, Evernote, OneNote, or any program to track your research goals.

Modified Participant Options: If you have existing lists of research goals, verify that they are in line with any family group sheet data. Create new goals based on new insights after reviewing the data.

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Well, with family interviews, I'll finish those over the holidays ... I've got some information on family group sheets, and I'll send them to family members to review and revise ... they'll remember things I forget, so I feel pretty good that I'll get fairly accurate and complete sheets back from them.

I'm getting ready to start self-interviews. I plan on video recording them so I'll have an artifact to leave.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 8

You've completed one week! Congratulations! How is it going for you? Drop me a line or leave a comment on the Facebook group. I'd love to hear from you!

Day 8 - Review Your Notes and Files

Your To-Do

Go through some files and examine those early notes and copies. Compare the materials to what you know now about that person or family. (While you're in there, toss duplicate copies that you've made over the years. Your file cabinet will thank you!)

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I need to review my George Milton Rice file. Here's my transcription of his death notice:

G. M. Rice Dies Sunday

George Milton Rice, 91, for 35 years manager of the A. C. Sand and Gravel CO., retiring 20 years ago, died at 7:45 p. m. Sunday in Ponca City, after an illness of a year. He had made his home in Ponca City the last 15 years with a daughter, Mrs. Nathalie Roberts.

Born Oct. 5, 1866 in Omaha, Neb., Mr. Rice came to Arkansas City in 1906 from Vinita, Okla., where he was in the cattle business and had made the run into the Oklahoma Cherokee Strip to take a claim at Medford, Okla.

He was the son of Jacob Rice and Cordelia Reynolds. His marriage to Edna Virena Perkins occurred Jan. 14, 1900 in Blue Jacket, Okla. Mrs. Rice died Nov 19, 1933. The family home here was at 219 S. Eighth St.

Survivors include one son, Woodrow Rice, Auxvasse, Mo.; three daughters, Mrs. Beulah Markley of Burden, Kas., Mrs. Nathalie Roberts, Ponca City, and Mrs. Etta Workman, Tulsa; five grand-children; and four great-grand-children. One daughter, Hazel, died as a small child.

Services will be Tuesday, 3:30 p. m., in the Erdman-Oldroyd Funeral Chapel, with burial at Riverview cemetery beside his wife.

Familiarize yourself with a state or county that you haven't done a lot of research in. Find the answers to the questions above. You'll be in a much better position to come up with a plan for researching in that area.

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Guess that, as Dean of a University Library in Indiana, I should be extremely knowledgeable about Indiana .... so, I'm going to tackle the Hoosier state!

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Talk to a relative. Get the facts, but also get the stories. If you don't have anyone to talk to, record your own stories. They're worth recording, too. **********

I'll be spending time with family around the holidays, so I am planning on interviewing, recording, digitizing and sharing the histories. Guess it's time to start a NEW holiday tradition, telling the oral histories (and recording them for posterity)
Oh, and just a quick search for "family history month" yields 476,000,000 hits. And searching for interview questions will give you a WHOLE LOT of possibilities.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Go to the FamilySearch Wiki and find the page for a state or county in which you're researching. (Enter the name of the location in the search box.) Explore the links to the other pages for those locations, as well as the links to FamilySearch collections and other websites.

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Since I'm looking at George Milton Rice, and his wife Edna Virena Perkins, I'd like to find out a bit more about their Marriage .... the 1910 census indicates that they've been married for 10 years. Probably need to see if I can locate WHERE they were living in 1900, and go from there.

Probably look at Kansas, and Oklahoma ... and see what's there!

Just located the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, and found George Milton Rice, with birthdate AND names of father and mother! That'll get me closer to answering ONE question and probably asking 3 or 4 MORE questions.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Look at what you have on one of your ancestors and see if you can figure out his denomination (in general) and what specific church he might have attended. If you can determine the church, see if it's still in existence. If it is, contact them to see about obtaining records. If it isn't, contact the local genealogical or historical society to see if they know where the records are.

I hadn't thought of this before. It's always been one of those "things" that are just not thought about. I'll check the obituaries that I have an see if there is SOME mention of church there. I figure that would be ONE place to start.
I'll start digging into this one ... should be interesting and insightful!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Take a look at the censuses you have for the ancestors you're working on. Do you have all of them, from their first one as a child to the last one before they died? If not, make a list of the ones you're missing and go look for them. (And if you do have all of them for your ancestors, go find all of the ones for their siblings. You never know what you'll find!)

Updated my table, and now have the following questions, based on Census data available and reviewed:

Big gaps still remain between the 1880 and 1910 census. Three children are reported in the 1910 census being born in Oklahoma. And, with the reported dates of birth, they were born in Oklahoma Territory.

Need to review state census for intermediate years. Oh, my table is now including the relevant citation format from Evidence Explained (2015).